A NARRATIVE ON THE TUG BOAT REYNOLDS.
The narrative was told to persons on the tug boat Reynolds as the latter sped side by side with the Carpathia as she moved up the North river to her berth at the Cunard pier. The woman thrust her head through the porthole of the liner in response to megaphone calls shouted from the Reynolds.
“What’s the trouble now?” she asked.
“Tell us about the wreck of the Titanic. Who are you?”
“Miss Peterson, of Passaic, N. J.,” was the answer. She was a passenger on the Carpathia.
The captain of the Reynolds, William Bennett, turned his craft closer to the Carpathia, so those on the tug could get within speaking distance.
“It’s almost too horrible to speak about,” began Miss Peterson. “It seems like a dream. I was asleep in my berth. I had walked along the promenade deck until about 10 o’clock and had gone to my room and fallen asleep. Suddenly I heard a deep blast from the horns. I awoke startled.
“Then came another blast. The lights were turned on all over the ship. I heard the officers and crew running up and down the decks. I dressed hurriedly, thinking something was wrong on the Carpathia. I hastened to the deck. It was about 2 o’clock in the morning and the stars were shining brightly overhead.
“I met Captain Rostrom and asked what was the trouble. ‘The Titanic has struck an iceberg and is sinking. Great God, men,’ he shouted, turning to his officers, ‘get ready to save these poor souls. There must be 2,500 on board.’
“Before the captain had told us of the wreck the Carpathia was being turned around toward the Titanic. I went on the boat deck and met many of our passengers. I heard the wireless buzz, and I knew the operator was trying to talk to the Titanic. I tried to get below to see the wireless instrument and operator, but I was told to go on deck again. The operator was clad only in his trousers and undershirt.